Introduction: Countee Cullen, an American poet born May 30, 1903 in Lexington Kentucky, wrote many poems throughout his life but was mostly known for being a poet of The Harlem Renaissance. A time when segregation was booming every where especially in New York Harlem which was also known as the negro movement."Yet do I Marvel," published in 1925, is a poem that states that God has a reason for everything and it inspires a sense of hope within the black community that times will change, and African Americans will gain a voice in the community.
"Yet Do I Marvel"
I doubt not God is good, well-meaning, kind
And did He stoop to quibble could tell why
The little buried mole continues blind,
Why flesh that mirrors Him must some day die,
Make plain the reason tortured Tantalus
Is baited by the fickle fruit, declare
If merely brute caprice dooms Sisyphus
To struggle up a never-ending stair.
Inscrutable His ways are, and immune
To catechism by a mind too strewn
With petty cares to slightly understand
What awful brain compels His awful hand.
Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:
To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
-Countee Cullen
Analysis:
Cullen, raised by a reverend was a firm believer in God and this poem shows the faith that Cullen puts in God to change things and bring on a better world for the black community. Cullen marvels at everything that God has created and the way that things work in the world. With the last line, Cullen implies that he is being asked by God to let his voice sing and be heard by the people around him. He is giving himself the power to inspire others and giving glory to God.
William T. Lawlor. "Yet Do I Marvel." Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition. Salem Press, 2007. eNotes.com. 2006. 19 May, 2009 <http://www.enotes.com/yet-do-marvel-salem/
yet-do-marvel>
Nick Saenz
Introduction:
Countee Cullen, an American poet born May 30, 1903 in Lexington Kentucky, wrote many poems throughout his life but was mostly known for being a poet of The Harlem Renaissance. A time when segregation was booming every where especially in New York Harlem which was also known as the negro movement."Yet do I Marvel," published in 1925, is a poem that states that God has a reason for everything and it inspires a sense of hope within the black community that times will change, and African Americans will gain a voice in the community.
"Yet Do I Marvel"
I doubt not God is good, well-meaning, kind
And did He stoop to quibble could tell why
The little buried mole continues blind,
Why flesh that mirrors Him must some day die,
Make plain the reason tortured Tantalus
Is baited by the fickle fruit, declare
If merely brute caprice dooms Sisyphus
To struggle up a never-ending stair.
Inscrutable His ways are, and immune
To catechism by a mind too strewn
With petty cares to slightly understand
What awful brain compels His awful hand.
Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:
To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
-Countee Cullen
Analysis:
Cullen, raised by a reverend was a firm believer in God and this poem shows the faith that Cullen puts in God to change things and bring on a better world for the black community. Cullen marvels at everything that God has created and the way that things work in the world. With the last line, Cullen implies that he is being asked by God to let his voice sing and be heard by the people around him. He is giving himself the power to inspire others and giving glory to God.
Bibliography
Cullen, Countee. "yet i do marvel by countee cullen". poemhunter.com. 5-19-09 <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/yet-do-i-marvel/>.
Liukkonen, Petri. Countee Cullen. Kuusankosken Kaupunginkirjasto. 2008. (5-15-09). URL: http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ccullen.htm
Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 9: Countee Cullen." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 5-15-09 URL: http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap9/cullen.html
William T. Lawlor. "Yet Do I Marvel." Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition. Salem Press, 2007. eNotes.com. 2006. 19 May, 2009 <http://www.enotes.com/yet-do-marvel-salem/
yet-do-marvel>